LOUIE BELLSON

[anthem74]

Simply awsome! He's clearly having a great time. The master at work.

[Kurppa11]

GREAT !

[isiskitty219]

this man is or was, the definition, with the peers prior like Rich and Krupa, of precision. Just the tip of the ice-burg... as percussion, JoJo , can't forget him... but he's later.

[StevieArt]

Legend.



[ifihaf2]

Punk jazz drum solo

[cjparrott]

i'm gonna start drumming in a suit jacket...

[1970drummerboy]

An incredible drummer, who i very nearly met in 82/83 when he was in the uk on tour with Oscar Peterson and Pearl Bailey, he visited a relation to his tour manager in OUR VILLAGE, i was at my GRANDMOTHERS could'nt beleive it, however he left me some sticks and a Slingerland practice pad which i still use today, a truly exceptional musician.........

[tibyv8]

Drummers back then knew that a drum solo must be treated as a work of art and that it must include the visual experience (if it's filmed). Drummers now are just a bunch of constipated fast-kicking robots! With some exceptions, of course.

[HeavyOpera1]

Awesome solo by Louie. I love that he pulled out the brushes.

[MarkR1957]

Louis kicking some VERY major ass here on this one.

Splendid ~

[babystinky]

my goodness gracious. what is it with the stamina that these guys had from way back when? this is unbelievable.

[babymash1]

I watched LOUIE and COBHAM battle once and YEAH o'k C-Had the MUSCLES but as for the feel it's gotta go to this guy :).

peace kids - BABYMASH BAND DRUMMER GLENN FLETCHER

[BOGATA9]

Louie bellson`s Slingerland explosion drum set sounds incredible.

[lonnieljones]

What I always appreciated about Louie most was his ability to "texture" the sound of his drums. He played his solos very melodically and dynamically. It was not only technically exciting for us drummers, but also entertaining for the audience.

[sevensecondsdeep]

The stamina this man had is an inspiration to all...

[Domydoor]

if musicians had a taste, bellson would be a cool coffee full of caffine xD

[ginolarenga]

i want to see when he uses doble pedal, show it to me please.

[morrisonmoon]

the greatest of all time......louie bbbb

[SimonIsSuperHot]

 I just came, multiple times

[soredemo22142]

Dude if he was alive he could be a huge drum and bass artist as well as a jazz musician haha.

[Billnipp1]

hes good but never does anything that I ask " how does he do that?" like buddy does :)

[cavalierfan1995]

rip louie you were the greatest

[Drumminman4U]

He was in great form on this clip. I miss Louie, Buddy and that whole era. I consider myself so lucky to have seen them play live when I was young. Like Louie used to say about the jazz era...."their time was the greatest".

[charlessavarese]

This is the only guy Buddy Rich trusted to take his place when he needed a fill-in for his orchestra. What does that tell you? In jazz drumming, there was the "Big 3": Rich, Krupa, and Bellson. There all gone now.

[soihcc]

very urgent, please can someone tell me where i can find drum tabs of one of louie bellson's songs? it is really important i need one of his songs in drum tabs, his notes and everything, please help

[ChiTown7721]

@soihcc Is there a particular song you're looking for? Are you looking for a book, or a free tab online?

[soihcc]

@ChiTown7721 i just need drum tabs of one of his songs, even better if it is played with the double pedal, i need to analyze his technique and style, how he uses the double pedal, so just his song in drum tabs plss :)

[ChiTown7721]

@soihcc Try a book called "The Musical Drummer". You can get it off amazon. It says they only have one copy left, so read the description, and if sounds like what you're looking for hurry up and order it. I think it fits the description of what you're looking for.

[soihcc]

@ChiTown7721 ok i wil try and order it, thank you for your help :) i appreciate it very much 

[drop83]

i wouldve loved to had seen him contest any drummer out there today. it might be close for a few, but i feel like he was ahead of his time. or atleast advanced in his field. very nice.

[groupshot]

I love the brush work he's doing here -- stylish, classic, high art. You don't see cats doing genuine brushing like this anymore -- they're all gone now, all of them! Too, unlike the quintessential technician, Bellson bore a musicality unlike that of big-band drummers; rather, his feel and ear of jazz impressed as more akin to jazz drummers peculiar to small groups, yet he stood distinguishable from these drummers, too. Perhaps his ear was, say, a hybrid of the big band and ensemble.

[ChiTown7721]

@groupshot There are still some musicians out there with exceptional brushwork, especially in jazz. Check out Steve Smith and Jeff Hamilton playing "Salt Peanuts". Really cool stuff. In general though, a drummer with good brushwork is harder to find these days.

[rocket120651]

An Inspiration to me !!!!!!

[xyloman2003]

I'm tired of hearing Buddy was faster than Louie or better. Each had there own greatness and was as fast as the other as evidenced here. Neither thought one was greater than the other. On the Gene Krupa Jazz Legend Video, Louie said that when he and Buddy were with Gene at his house in Yonkers, Gene said, "I can't do what you guys do..." and both Buddy & Louie looked at him amazed, because they had so much respect for Gene's musicianship and showmanship. LB-a great musician and gentleman.

[speedoflite1]

@SAHBfan Buddy was simply the best! ...head 'n' shoulders above the rest.

Yet I was thrilled to see Bellson & his band (live performance) while still in his prime (early 70s); long b4 his skills had eroded prior to his death in 2009. Nice guy. Buddy and Louie B. were lifelong friends, and they respected each other's talents.

[bcc50]

Hello mikebuddy1...is there any chance you can list the players in the band? Thanks

[designermite]

Very coool indeed!

[SAHBfan]

@Speedoflite1:

>" "Buddy was the greatest drummer he had ever seen" (so, u can draw your own conclusions). "

Yeah... I'd conclude that Louis Bellson was a generous and modest guy from that.

Why is it that on every Louis vid someone has to come along and say that 'Buddy was better'? Even if it were true, Louis was a great band leader, writer, arranger, teacher, innovator and in great demand with all the top band leaders as he was such a great guy to work with... Buddy was a great drummer.

[jimmibudd]

does the drum to his left have a pedal to adjust the pitch?

i like the way he spins the roto toms to get a higher pitch...

his snare work and cymbal use is awesome..

i will definately try to incorporate more of this style in my solos

amazing

[mikebuddy1]

Yes,it has a pedal.These drums were made by Remo& called Roto Toms, & Louie featured them alot when they were being promoted by Remo.One great example is an Album which features him playing on a complete set of Roto Toms .The Album title is Louie Bellson's 7 from 1976 Check it out.

[jimmibudd]

thanks!

i'll check it out.

[drummer1966123]

hey india...you are so right...for me it was gene if not for him i would not be a drummer...in buddys own words in the book baby traps....buddy said ( if it was not for gene krupa there would be no buddy rich...i love the man so much i copied his drum set up)...some drummers play the drums...some make music with the drums...gene was the inovator..alll others took what he had and built on it

[speedoflite1]

Close but no cigar, compared to Buddy.

Still, Louie is remembered as one of the greatest drummers of all time. Saw him in person at Robin Hood Dell (Philly) in early '70s, and he was nothing short of phenomenal that nite. Louie, himself, told the audience that, "Buddy was the greatest drummer he had ever seen" (so, u can draw your own conclusions).

[MrPetepohl1]

Immpessive! I saw him with this band at TELFORD also in 1980.

He had TWO bass Drums I remember!

[Frankster81]

I'd like to know where he got all that stamina. That just takes a whole lot of energy and then to stay in time with the band afterwards...He was indeed top notch!

[acfinney]

THE SUPER -CHEIF OF DRUMMERS

[grousserr]

Prime Tiiiime!

[Darean51]

gene krupa

[ledzeplad]

no, louie bellson.

[Darean51]

I know but I just felt like saying his name lol

[goodysun]

Fuck me! I can't find words to do that justice! Genius falls way short! Go ed Louie!

[DrummerMan1966]

I agree! The man was amazing!

[zealotnut]

Too right!

Keith Moon said (apparently) he was mainly influenced by Gene Krupa and Buddy Rich, however, listening to Louie always made me think Louie was his main influence, still taking into account Krupa's flamboyant 'arms in the air' style.

Top stuff.

[DrummerMan1966]

Travis Barker actually admired and respected drummers like Dennis Chambers, Stewart Copeland,Buddy Rich and Louie Bellson.

[BLINK2BARKER]

hes good but he aint travis good that is for fucking sure

[DrummerMan1966]

A true master at work! He made the drums sing! He had such a touch and attack! I hope I can play that well when i get older!He was the first drummer to introduce double bass drums and rock drummers soon follow suit.He will be missed in the drumming communtiy. Rest in peace L.B.

[andrearot]

what a fuckin hell control of the sticks, GOD!!!! monster. terrific.

[rr1313rr]

mr bellson was ahead of his time, melodically and creativly wise he had it all

[mistarax]

Brushwork!!!!!!!!!!!!!! oh I love this guy! my Dad(born in '41) was always fond of Louie. said that if i wanted to play, i had to listen Louie, Buddy and Gene . my son's a drummer (16). he loves those guys too.

[mistarax]

Look at the size of those Rototoms!!!!!

[mistarax]

plays both match and traditional grips! killer!

[andrearot]

usually, who plays drum whit the traditional grip, can play well with a matched grip too.. :)

[mikebuddy1]

As i remember the traditional style came from the marching fife & drums corps, where the only way of playing those awkward tenor drums was to to sling the drum to one side at an angle in order to be able to march,thus the playing surface was also at an angle,hence the traditional style.Maybe someone with the history could comment!

[andrearot]

yes, your version of the history is correct: the position of the hand depend to the inclination of the snare of the marching drummers!

maybe on wikipedia it's all explained.. :) i'll check it out.

[Phosonell]

@andrearot

Perhaps a lot of people think that, but it´s definitely false! I always played traditional grip and I can´t play matched. I always can make a few hits or a loud single roll, but when it comes to more sophisticated things including working with rebound and finger control, i´d have to learn matched grip almost from scratch. Traditional grip is one thing, matched grip as a completely other thing. I can´t imaging a good drummer that has the same skills with both grips.

[tman10003]

Buddy who?

[NoisyBoyz]

I guess they are talking about Buddy Rich

[Shaggy196102]

that is so true. Great drummers can make a small kit sound big.

[drummsticker]

Just goes to show...you don't have to have a 40+ piece drumkit to play with with style. Amazing snare licks, technique and incredible rudimental attack. A true master of the kit. Louie, I'm sure you're playing up there with your buddies having drumoffs. Thanks for sharing this great footage!! RIP Louie....

[elvischevy]

my hero....i love to watch druming.. very shy. very modest. always a great joy to listen all drummers look up to louis bellson r,i,p

[schenkelB]

rest in peace louie rest in peace

[jamiequinlan]

:O one of my new fav drummers!

[bclaus0]

impressive.

but, if he had had some groove...

I like the tom or snare with the pitch difference though =P

[bclaus0]

I admit he can play the drums with alot of groove (skin deep?) He's an awesome drummer.

Though I still think practically all drum solo's must have some groove, I just didn't like this one. ;)

[DarthKazi]

Ahhhh, fair enough.

:)

[muttville1]

whatever u said, stick 2 ur guns!

[hotmail99]

Yes 1:29

[anishnaube]

It amazing that you can always tell Louie's snare apart from other drummers. Even in older recordings that I have like "Skin Deep." His snare has it's own special sound to it.

[mikebuddy1]

I think my favourite album (drum sounding wise) is 'The Dynamic Drums of Louie Bellson' fromm '66.the sound here from the kit so beautiful.great big band & charts too.

[mikebuddy1]

Did'nt they use calf skins in those days(Skin Deep orig recording)?As against plastic heads there is a big difference in sound IMO,although they got a great sound from using the brushes.I would find it hard to tell the difference (soundwise ) with calfskin between the drummers in those days.On some recordings the tones are so different,did'nt they have problems keeping in tune.Don't know (not that old!)Ha,Ha.

[buddy92585]

yes...heat ,humitity really messed with the sound...snare usally had a deep sound,and toms sounded flat at any tension too.

[Supraphonic1958]

I want a toupee!

[nardrebel]

That's a Roto-Tom with a foot pedal, doing the glissando.

[coobek2k]

Amazing :O He was a hero!

How he did this fluent glissando on drum at his left? :o - 0:08

[Cliner97]

Wow. The more I see of Louie the more enamored I become. Simply amazing drummer. Fast, rythmic as hell and powerful too.

[apeculiar1]

The one and only may rest in peace !

[renatolarsen]

Unbelievable!!!!!!

[pichinaki]

Good by Louie. Enjoy the drums from heaven with Buddy, Mitch, Bonzo, Keith and many others eternity drummers. God Bless you Louie. Do another drum solo to enjoy and learn from your incredible tecnique!!!!!

[bigdaddy2340]

rip my friend. the good lord must have one hell of a band upstairs now that your there

[shadoogie61]

Phenominal!!!!! My all time hero. I wore out my record of Skin Deep. Rest in Peace Louie

[libertyconspiracy]

One of hte greatest. RIP, Mr. Bellson.

That power and speed is rare, and his love for the musicianship really showed!

[torrinater]

WOW....

He was amazing, and he paved the way for some of the best percussionists after him.

RIP Louie

[danlc95]

Not only deos he play with the touch of a master, he looks super cool here too.

[gnaku]

Buddy got all the limelight. Louie got to play the Sacred Concert. One guy was a gentleman, the other was a real dick (no disrespect to his mad skills). RIP, Louie! Enjoy eternity with Pearl and the Duke!

[BossestRetrorockerz]

but anyway R.I.P LOUIE BELLSON ....so sad.......

[BossestRetrorockerz]

hella sad he died.....and zomg i cant believe i found this out...but that is true..my auntie is louie bellson's real daughter....its hella weird but true and then my aunties step dad is dave black or whatever.....but dave black's son had used a stage name (i dont know what his sons real name is) but he was the drummer to a band called The police.i couldnt believe that my auntie was louie bellsons daughter.. and her step dad is dave black.louie bellsons her real dad messageme ifugot questions...

[politico60]

I had the honor of doing sound for Louie and his wonderful wife Pearl Bailey back when I was doing hotel A/V work, and, as ludwig puts it, he was an amazing, caring soul who truly made everyone around him feel loved and special.

I am very sad to hear of his passing; the only good thing I can take from this is that he is with Pearl again.

[gogharmonics]

RIP . . . So Sad

[nsaulssberry]

Pure mastery and passion!

[Fulc]

You know what... there's not many drummers out there who can take the concept of a drum solo, stretch it out to eight and a half minutes as LB does here, and not leave his audience completely bored out of his skull. Such was LB's lyricism and genius.

[ludwig222]

Louie was the greatest, kindest person I have ever known. We have truly lost a very beautiful person. Someone who knew the true meaning of love your fellow man.

Louie breathed love in everything that he did, spreading good feelings to all that came near him.

If I had the power to make him a saint, I would.

The world is a lot darker with his passing....A void that will never be filled.

Louie I truly Love You ...will miss you till my dying day.

[fallingfromjupiter]

That was put perfectly.

Rest In Peace Louie.

[fishbonebuba]

Fantastic. Thanks for posting.

[italiarovinata]

Grande Maestro,

R.I.P.

e grazie di tutto.

[mikebuddy1]

Sad to hear of the passing of Louie,still at 85 years on the planet that's not bad for a jazz musican.Who's left that can equal louie,the world & music is without another great talent that can not be replaced.RIP Louie Bellson.Your music lives on.

[maalth]

Rip Louie Bellson. He was not only a great drummer.  He was also a great man.

[HollywoodWags]

Wow...what playing.

RIP.

[mgafcm]

R.I.P.

[1drumnut]

For those of you who haven't heard the sad news, Louie Bellson died yesterday on February 14, 2009. He had been in very serious condition with major complications after breaking his hip.

Louie was a great inspiration to me and other drummers. His talent on the drums was only matched by his musicianship as composer and arranger, and his great humility.

He leaves a legacy that would do any of us proud, and he'll be missed.

Alden Merrill

[tommygaston]

I'll take Louis over Buddy and Krupa any day. Nicer person to his fans also !!!

tommy gee

[whity72]

Definitely the master of melodic drumming. Buddy had a tapdancing left hand, unreached in his speed, but Rich often disappointed my ears (not eyes!) by lousy tom-cymbal-combinations. Bellson has another virtuosity and "tells smoother stories" on his kit than "Hormon-Buddy" did. However - a master!

[babybluesnowden]

i got to see louie in 82 at the mba national marching band finals in johnson city, TN the man is extraordinary, he played part of his solo with four sticks! buddy may be a faster drummer? louie is a better percussionist in my opinion! didnt he found ludwig drums? overall, i think louies the best

[mickim1953]

My arms and wrists are worn out just watching this solo,and who does a solo with wire brushes'!? Rich had nothing on Louie,or Gene,but Louie never ceases to amaze me.What a musician!

[cadaverr]

You, sir, are an idiot. Plain and simple. : )

[SKC82391]

It's his opinion, get over it.

[cadaverr]

No, I won't, simply because my own opinion is also a right I own as well. Also, my "opinion" is well placed, argued, full of examples and observations. I actually care to make inteligible. I want others to understand the foundations of my opinion. Its not just a matter of taste and a irrational afection for someone's playing and character, its ALSO a matter of looking for differences (even "objective" differences such as speed).

[cadaverr]

In my well argued "opinion" Buddy was a better drummer, but Louie is still better than I'll ever get.

[buddy92585]

there in is the question...define better.I,for one,liked Buddies style better.Each shared a boat load of talent,an were blessed with speed,agility,power,stamina,et­c.Louies approch to music was more of a musical art of drumming,to me.Buddy seemed to relish the idea of accompaning the music with drumming,and really kickin a brass section in the butt!I've seen them both,Louie twice,Buddy about 20 times...each left your head spinning...which is what is s'posed to happen!

[cadaverr]

Mathematical beauty presented into his solo compositions as a whole and the way he understood snare and kit dynamics. A LOT superior to Mr. Bellson's playing, imo.

[cadaverr]

What I see in Mr. Bellson's playing are lots of unappealing moellered snare dynamics, while Buddy had a perfect construction in mind for most of what he played. Bellson's solos didn't look very cohesive by any stretch of the imagination. He was great, of course, but he didn't have the same mathematical brilliance while playing that Buddy had.

[goodysun]

Sorry mate, but that's bollocks! Maths my arse-Louie's syncopation and the way he keeps going and going, taking in the whole kit, swapping sticks/brushes, keeping the flow going and the sheer length and stamina of his playing is without peers. I don't see anything as fast, or as long as this on here-correct me if I'm wong.

[indiasrainbow]

Every drummer has his/her own style/ flavour, saying any is better than the other is like saying music is not about expression of the soul or feel. Buddy couldn't make the drums sing like krupa could, krupa couldn't thrash out what buddy did. Just like red doesn't look like green or apples do not taste like strawberries. each have their very own special qualities.

[cadaverr]

Bellson is always compared with Buddy due to their style resemblance, and not exactly by the quality of their phrasings, their drum imaginations, sense of on the spot composition. Buddy had a beautiful swing feel on everything he played. You just need to try to understand it. Its all over the place. Loue had admited Buddy's one-of-a-kind nature many times during his lifetime. Watch his comments on Buddy on his "Buddy Rich Jazz Legend 1917-1987" DvD and you shall see it for yourself.

[VAvampire]

What a fantastic musician, in all respects.

[RockGranit]

Louie was more experimental than Buddy, with the double bass drums, roto toms, and other 'extras' that Buddy didn't use. But for pure command of the intsrument, Buddy Rich was THE man.

[captainblastem123]

Between Louie and Buddy, I've always thought Louie had smoother snare technique. But both are excellent drummers. I'd say they are pretty much on the same tier

[leo2nd74]

No wonder Buddy Rich asked him to take over on drums for his band when he was sick.

[jmsbk12345]

Is that Spock on drums?  Surely the greatest drummer there is.

[LarkinFarkin]

For me, there is a group of jazz drummers which are essential:Buddy,Joe Morello,Louie Bellson,the divine Gene Krupa,Papa Jo Jones and Max Roach. There are more (Blakey, Persip, Clarke, Moon, Mitchell, Baker...),but with the first ones you may have your favourite,but trying to say who is the best is hard enough; and useless.I love Krupa,but he is not so technically good as the others. And who cares: he transformed the concept of a drummer,and have that incredible sound.The same goes for the rest.

[redsox1006]

I gotta say that buddy rich is the best no question

[acfinney]

Mr.Bellson's solos are more interesting than Rich's. He is sort of a cross between Morello and Buddy. Whats not to like? For my music, I'd prefer Ray McKinley.

[mikebuddy1]

I'm not trying to defend Louie but i think the work he did to advance the doublebass Drums was only a fraction of what Louie achieved in his career.His Composing & Arranging,his leadership with his all star big bands and Othe Bands,his very aproachable character,and his frightening technique & his time to me made him a one off.I was in front of louies double Bass Drums & Mammy daddies in full flight & there was nothing else like it.WW3.listen to him on conversations & you know what i mean.

[jaschaheifetz]

Well said. Thanks for posting.

[stixx2000]

Louie was great...as far as him and the double bass thing, I wish he would have been more innovative. I think it can fit but that duga, duga, duga, duga is a bit lackluster. I'm not talking about speed as much as syncopation and control over the feet.

[jckturchin]

Markr1957 couldnt have said it better. I totally agree with you! Some of my friends were Louis fans and they would never admit the dbl bass thing was a waste.

[jckturchin]

Buddy would not be green with envy. Come on now. Even Louie knew Buddy was a genius. Louis is great but not quite the genius Buddy was. For me his solos were too predictable after a while.

[davidpockettrpt]

THE mostincredibe drum solo I've ever heard - adnd that includes Krupa & Rich!!! I especially loved the way he used the two bass drums while switching to fill in the solo time while changing to the brushes w/his hands! What a faboulus drummer, and always with a roarin' big band backing him up!

[ludwig222]

cross sticking at 30 sec.!!

[britrpt57]

I'm in the trumpet section on that one. The tall skinny kid on the left end next to Louis. Great band of New York and LA players. It was a real education for me being 23 at the time and right out of college-- a young greenhorn. That band included Frank Strazzeri on piano, Bobby Shew on trumpet, and Joe Romano and Arnie Lawrence in the sax section.

We did an album in London at the end of that tour called "London Scene" on the Concord label but it may be out of print now.

[mikebuddy1]

Brian O'Flattery ?.

I have that album.Louies Big Bands had more freedom for players to stretch out on solos,& what lineups Louie had.You were in good company.I remember you stretched out on 'Intimacy of the Blues'

[ludwig222]

There is NOT enough video of Louie. Louie in his prime could give Buddy a run for his money.

This is proof of that !

[buddy92585]

thats true..they had a good deal of respect for each other,and on the same level of techniqe,but a different approach musiclly,I would say.

[bubses]

Wow. Louie is unbelievable here. He outdid Buddy on this one. I'd have to say Louie is the better matched grip player than Buddy is. What Buddy does w/traditional, Louie can do w/matched here. And just when you think he's going to 'bust his chops' and have no more left, he just keeps going. Incredible. You should post more from this concert if you have it.

[cadaverr]

Impossible. No one has ever "outdone" Buddy Rich. Maybe you're watching the wrong Buddy Rich videos then. BR was the greatest drum set player of all time. He was also among the greatest snare-alone players as well, along geniusis such as Alex Duthart, Jim Kilpatrick and Jeff Queen. Louie is fantastic here, but he alternates awesome moments with some long uninteresting ones. This solo does not feel cohesive in any way.

[cadaverr]

Its great but also very messy (something Buddy would never do later in his life). The way Buddy did arm crossings, the speed he reached during his single stroke crescendo and his one handed rolls are just 3 things Louie quite never did as good. Also, while Loue does some moeller-based fast dynamics on the snare, those syncopations are nowhere near as beautifully varied and well thought as Buddy's. I really don't believe that.

[ingrid896]

Sei que sou prima de Louis Belson, somos descendentes de imigrantes italianos que fugiram da 2ª guerra, alguns para o Brasil, outros para os Estados Unidos e alguns ficaram na Italia, infelismente não o conheci.Meu nome é Neide Maria Balassoni.

[cadaverr]

Buddy also had even greater stamina and had a gifted, dancing left hand. His hi hat playing was also more impressive, swinguy and faster. All that makes Buddy an all-around more impressive drummer than Louie, in my opinion. Louie is still phenomenal though. Nothing short of amazing.

[bgibb101]

Even BUddy rich would be green with envy!

[bennymalone]

Great video, thanks for posting.